Witness by Karen Hesse

Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 2001. Witness. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439271991.

Plot Summary
Witness by Karen Hesse is an unforgettable story set in a small Vermont town during the 1920's. Eleven different characters describe how their town is changed when the Ku Klux Klan moves in. The entire town is affected; from the local preacher to local businesses. Witnesses include Leanora, a 12 year old African American girl, and Esther, a 6 year old Jewish girl.

Critical Analysis
Newbery Award winning author, Karen Hesse, uses her familiar free verse style in Witness. Taken right out of history, Witness is a story of how the Ku Klux Klan changed a community and the families living there. Hesse creates 11 characters to share their side of the story. The addition of their pictures and ages adds to the realism of the book. Everything is included; friendship, betrayal, and the social injustice apparent during the 1920's. This historically accurate novel is a must read.

Reviews
Children's Literature: " The book is a fast read, but is one that will not release the reader's mind and heart."

VOYA: "Using poetic form with no capitalization allows Hesse to crystallize the voices of her eleven characters. Each speaks from his or her personal experiences of fears and prejudices. This lyric work is another fine achievement from one of young adult literature's best authors."

Connections
*Assign the different characters to students and read the novel aloud as an introduction to a Civil Rights lesson.
*Select other titles written in free verse poems and have students compare the writings.